Kerala High Court slams State for lack of clarity on funds available for Wayanad relief

The Kerala High Court on Saturday criticized the Kerala government for failing to clarify how much money is remaining in the State's Disaster Response Funds (SDRF) to meet ongoing disaster relief efforts in landslide-hit Wayanad [In Re: Prevention and Management of Natural Disasters in Kerala]..A Bench Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Muhammed Nias CP noted that without concrete details on how much is left in the SDRF funds, the grant of financial aid from the Central government to Wayanad may get further delayed. This would only serve to prolong the blame game between the Centre and the State (over the extension of disaster relief funds) while people in Wayanad continue to suffer as collateral damage, the Court lamented. "We need to ensure, the funds are available fast. You must understand that there is collateral damage. This disaster happened in July and still no clarity ... Everyday, in news, we see that 'Central is not disbursing funds' and this blame game is continuing. Please give us the accounts. We need a complete reconciliation statement," the Court said today while addressing the State's counsel. .The Court was hearing a suo motu case initiated earlier this year to monitor disaster management efforts in Wayanad, which yet to recover from devastating landslides that hit the district in July. .During hearings of the matter, the Kerala government had questioned the Centre's delay in sanctioning funds out of the National Disaster Relief Funds (NDRF) for Wayanad. The Centre had earlier replied that it would soon disburse the amount after a final assessment, adding that the State should use funds remaining in its SDRF for now to meet immediate needs. The State, meanwhile, sought ₹290 crores from the Centre for immediate relief needs alone. .Today, the State’s Finance Officer revealed that ₹782.98 crores was available in the SDRF, of which about ₹677 crores could be used for Wayanad. However, the State added that the full amount of ₹677 crores may not be available for use in Wayanad, as it has other expenses to meet. The Court was informed that even if there are no natural disasters taking place in the State, about ₹700 crores is required every year to meet prior commitments. .The Court criticised this lack of clarity, particularly the absence of a clear audit report and proper expenditure statements on the amounts used from SDRF funds. Justice Nambiar asked how the State could peg ₹290 crores as the amount needed as additional assistance from the Central government for immediate relief, when it had no clarity on what amount was available in the SDRF for Wayanad relief measures. "You say 677 crores is available in balance - what per cent of it can be used? How can you say you do not know how much of it can be used ... We understand what Central government is saying. The State has to show how the amount in SDRF is spent for asking additional funds for immediate assistance. At least have some idea of the expenses, then we can ask the central government!" the Court remarked. .The Court proceeded to direct the State to submit a full reconciliation statement by Thursday, December 12, when the case will be heard next."Out of the ₹677 crores, we need to know what is available from this amount - no approximations, but clear figures - and after that we will see whether you are justified for other funds from the Central government," the Court said..[Read Live Coverage]